hi! i’m a college student buying my first bike (yay)! i found a 50 dollar bike on facebook marketplace that i’m going to pick up tomorrow. it’s technically a mountain bike, but i’m really just going to use it for getting around my campus and maybe the occasional leisure ride. (it’s a giant boulder se, if you’re wondering. it’s an oldie, but i don’t have the budget for much else)
the question is, what else do i need? obviously a helmet and a lock. i’ve been doing a little research on that and have found a couple options. i’ll be keeping my bike outside my apartment on a bike rack. it’s a pretty quiet residential street in a college town, so i’m not super worried but definitely want to get a sturdy lock. any recommendations on that would be appreciated! as far as helmets, i think im just gonna see what walmart has (maybe the local bike shop, if i can make it there before they close). i also dont need to worry about it fitting hair, i have super short hair.
i think bike, helmet, lock is all i really need, but my birthday is coming up so i can ask for some extras!maintenance stuff is also something i should think about, but we do have a free bike repair shop on campus so i would really need just the essentials. i’m also considering mudguards so i can ride in the rain/wet weather, as im in PA so that’s common.
wish me luck! i’ve not ridden a bike in like 4 years. but my campus is flat so it should be easier than my childhood, where i flew off my bike trying to ride down hills far too many times. i’m really excited to try something new, and to actually have a mode of transportation for myself!
update: thanks for all the info! i went to the local bike shop and bought a nice helmet with mips. i’m paying too much for my education to play around with brain injury lol! my mom is gonna pay me back for it so happy early birthday to me. i’m also bringing my friend who bikes with me to pick up the bike, so hopefully they’ll be able to notice if anything is odd. the photos look like it’s in good condition, but obviously you can’t tell everything from that. i’m hopeful though! it just needs to get me around for the rest of the year, as im a senior and will likely move cross country post-grad and my hometown is scarily hilly and not bike friendly. i appreciate the recommendation for gloves, i wouldn’t have thought of that! i have a pair of leather motorcycle gloves i bought for a halloween costume last year so perhaps those will become my bike gloves. thanks to all again!!!
update 2: i just got back from my first ride! i mostly just rode around in circles to get comfortable but the bike is in good condition for being 26 years old. no rust or visible damage, will take it to the bike shop this week to get it looked at to be safe. i do need to get some wd-40 to be able to adjust the seat height, but im sure someone i know has that. brakes work, gear change works, tires are full. i’m genuinely so happy!!! thank you all for the help.